FM RADIO SIGNAL

[Geiger41]

The signal on my am/fm radio head-unit sucks. Anyone have this problem also. Any quick fixes ?

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Check and see if you have an antenna and how it's mounted if you do. It's probably just a wire below the dash that might need to be routed differently.

There are combiners that Shakespeare sells that combine your VHF antenna with your AM/FM antenna if you have one onboard to tap into.

 

[txav8r]

That is one of the objective things @geiger41 . It is based on where you boat. But looking at your profile pic, I am guessing the fm signal strength is fine in your area. my 2012 HU is a piece of crap, but I get FM better with it than I did my previous POS HU in the 230. I don't listen to FM, mostly just my iPod...but my POS HU won't even let me do that easily. Yesterday, I couldn't even get it to fade to adjust the sound level in the bow. And...it wouldn't even go to the fade page! I can't believe we have to put up with this. I am giving it back to the dealer (the HU).

 

[cwoav8r]

Move to Florida... its really flat here and we get FM across about three or four counties...

@Murf'n'surf and @txav8r answered up to the rest of what I was gonna say as I was typing this... like @txav8r, I am an iPod guy... I hate commercials, and I want to listed to what I want to, when I want to!

What HU comes stock in the new boats? I replaced all the stock 2008 stuff with a Sony HU, remote, and JBL speakers. I do the extended warranty with West that covers for two years, and it has saved my a$$ twice already on the HU.

 

[Geiger41]

Well after reading the manual this HU has 3 reception area settings...........USA (U) Other Countries (K) and Europe (E) For some reason the setting was on "other countries" So I switched it back and it seems like it worked....Final outcome will be the next time I take the boat out.

There is also a DX/LO Setting.............LO (Stations with strong signals only) DX (stations with both strong and weak signals) I changed mine to DX so guess we will see how that plays out

 

[Julian]

I found that the antenna connection behind my radio was snapped in half...bought a new one at west marine.

 

[txav8r]

@cwoav8r , the same crappy JBL that you had, only prettier! You can dress it up, but if it quacks...it is still a duck!

 

[Murf'n'surf]

@geiger41 That's one to add to my memory! I've never seen that before on an HU.

 

[cwoav8r]

@geiger41 , Damn... Thought that was gonna make you move to Florida... Better luck for us next time...

@txav8r , roger that... Upgrade that radio... But first.... NAME THAT BOAT!

 

[Trm1765]

My reception is very poor also. I have checked antenna connection which seemed ok.. But as said earlier, the antenna is only a wire under the dash. My last boat was the same and I added an antenna, but that made no difference either so I have always assumed it was just something to do with being on the water. This year I subscribed to XM radio for the summer, 10 bucks a month for the summer. Problem solved.

 

[KXCam22]

You can also buy an antenna booster that goes inline with the antenna cable. Cam.

 

[Zarrella]

@txav8r , roger that... Upgrade that radio... But first.... NAME THAT BOAT!


Name your boat...."Quacks Like A Duck"

 

[Geiger41]

hmmm upgrade radio...hmmmmm gonna have to look for a radio that has a large screen that can double up with a gps map displayed on the screen... ALSO just forgot I have a tablet I just installed my navionics app on it anyone know of any gadgets for a tablet that will cover the top so the display looks better in the sun

 

[davel501]

Check out the TuneTrapper FM antennas. Replaced my stock with one with good results.

 

[TexasTea]

I put a booster in my boat, made a huge difference. The booster was $5 on Amazon and your antannae plugs I to the output of the booster. The booster is simply wired to the power wire so it turns on when your radio turns on. Should take you 10 min or less to install.

 

[Geiger41]

Just bought an antenna from west marine and plugged it in......same crappy reception

 

[Durkis007]

Activate that SiriusXM satellite radio if you have it... works everywhere ! Thats all we use, and according to the other boats we tie with, I am the "music/stereo" provider ! lol

 

[Geiger41]

Yeah I think I have to buy an adaptor or something to get the Sirius going. Probably do that for next summer. I'm a BPM kind of guy. Lol.

 

[bigwoo]

If you go the Sirius route tell them you want the 6months for 29.00 deal.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I'm loving BPM and Electricarea! Sounds like its time for a head unit upgrade. I wouldn't add a sat receiver to the head unit if it's not tuning fm properly, start with a complete new unit.